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Obi Celebrates Emeka Anyaoku at 89

By
The Source
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Former Governor Peter Obi has felicitated with the  Former Common Wealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, as he clocked 89 today.

In a Congratulatory Message released by his Media Office, signed by  Mr. Valentine Obienyem, Obi described Anyaoku as an examplary ambassador of Nigeria and Anambra State, on the global stage. Obi stated that Anyaoku has continued to contribute to the peace and development of Nigeria, and indeed Anambra, his home State.

Obi explained that while he lived in the United Kingdom, in the 90s, he always felt proud, as an Igbo man, with Anyaoku’s contributions to the Commonwealth of Nations.

He narrated, “I recall that it was in 1997, during Chief Emeka Anyaoku’s tenure, at Edinburgh Conference, that the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC), of which I was an early member, was formed.

“As a body saddled with the responsibility of enhancing trades and mobilising investments among the member nations of the Commonwealth, the CBC played active role in the economic development of member nations. Being an early member of the Council, afforded me the opportunity of participating in their conferences in Malaysia, Mauritius, India, Australia, Malta, South Africa etc.” Obi also recalled that he has also been opportuned to speak at different Commonwealth events, especially the ones held in Nigeria and United Kingdom.”

Continuing, Obi said “In 2013, as the then Governor of Anambra State, I recall being a special guest at his 80th birthday hosted by the then Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, at the Commonwealth Headquarters.

“Also as the then Chairman of South Eastern Governors, I co-hosted the 80th birthday celebration of Chief Emeka Anyaoku at Obosi, which had in attendance; all the then South Eastern Governors; Former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and many other dignitaries from across the country and beyond.”

He concluded, “I am therefore honoured to associate with and celebrate a man, whose greatness has rubbed off on us, both indidually and collectively as a nation. It is my earnest prayers that God will grant him good health of mind and body now and always.”

AFCON 2021: Super Eagles Play For Pride, As Ghana Crashes Out

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Eagles Vs Pharaoh of Egypt - AFCON 2022

By Akinwale Kasali

No one saw it coming.

Even the star gazers never predicted that the five-time African Cup of Nations winner, the Black Stars of Ghana would crash out so easily.

It was a heavy loss and heart break for millions of Ghanaians, as lowly rated and debutants, Comoros Island, was the architect of their early exit. It defeated Ghana 3-2.

The win by Comoros will certainly make people and soccer analysts search the African map to know the location of Comoros.

Comoros Island  is a chain of islands situated off the Southeastern Coast of Africa, to the east of Mozambique and Northwest of Madagascar. In its first outing it made history. Though, it is also booted out of the tournament, but it  is exiting the Continental showpiece with its heads high.

Come Wednesday, January 19th, 2022, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will file out against Guinea Bissau for its third Group match.

Having qualified for the knockout stages following successive victories over the Pharaohs of Egypt and the Falcons of Sudan, the Super Eagles will be aiming to solidify their position as Group leaders.

Though, the match is mere formality as the Super Eagles had done its assignment in its first two matches, but Interim Coach Augustine Eguavoen will be gunning to continue its record breaking performance set at AFCON 2006 where the Nigeria team won all its Group matches, with Eguavoen becoming the first indigenous coach to achieve such feat.

At AFCON 2006 which Eguavoen guided Nigeria to a Bronze Medal finish, he defeated Ghana 1-0, Senegal 2-0 and Zimbabwe 2-0 to top the Group with Nine points.

He is, however, on the verge of repeating same feat, with Guinea Bissau standing its way in achieving this.

Nigeria’s opening scorer against Sudan, Samuel Chukwueze has disclosed the team preparedness to take on any team at the competition.

The Villarreal Football Club of Spain winger said that the Super Eagles is determined to face any team and defeat them with the sole aim of the team is winning the coveted trophy.

With the team already in the knockout phase, the possibility of the Coach changing his line up is rife, with soccer analysts predicting that he could give the fringe players in the team the chance to taste action.

The possible line up are; Francis Uzoho in goal, Tyronne Ebuehi, Chidozie Awaziem, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Jamilu Collins in the defense.

Frank Onyeka, Kelechi Nwakali, Ahmed Musa and Alex Iwobi in the heart of the midfield, while Peter Olayinka and Chude Ejuke in attack.

Osun: PDP Shifts Osun Gubernatorial Screening Appeals

By
The Source
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The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has shifted the date for the Osun State Governorship Screening Appeals.

A release signed by the Party’s National Organizing Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature, said it has been shifted to January 24, 2022 from its earlier scheduled date of January 19.

No reason was given for the rescheduling.

The venue, however, remains the Headquarters of the National Secretariat, Abuja. Bature’s statement reads:

“The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, hereby, informs all Gubernatorial aspiranats and critical stakeholders of our great Party in Osun State  that the Gubernatorial Screening Appeals earlier scheduled for  Wednesday, January 19, 2022 has been rescheduled for Monday, January 24, 2022.

“However, the venue of the exercise remains the PDP National Secretariat, Abuja at 10AM prompt.

“All aspirants and critical stakeholders in Osun State should note the change of date and be guided accordingly.”

CNPP, CSOs Demand NCDMB Boss To Step Down

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Chief Willy Ezugwu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP alongside the Coalition of Civil Socie Organizations, CSOs, has demanded that the  Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Kesiye steps down to allow a thorough investigation into allegations of corruption against him within 21 days.

In a joint statement on Tuesday CNPP and the CSO,  noted that “it is in the interest of justice and in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s avowed stance on war against corruption.”

The CNPP said in the statement signed by its Secretary General, Willy Ezugwu and the Secretary of the CSO coalition, Ali Abacha, that “perjury is of serious concern” and should be taken seriously.

The statement added, “learning of the ongoing case in the United States of America in a libel case instituted by lawyers acting on the authority of the Executive Secretary in which the Defendant’s counsel is accusing Mr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote of perjury and lying on oath in his case against Jackson Ude, a journalist, in a United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

“Attorney to Ude from Amadi Law Office at 204 Blossom Street Extension, Suite A. Lynn MA 01901, Barr. Beneth O. Amadi, had in a letter dated January 15, 2022 and addressed to the Honorable Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., United States District Judge, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 504 West Hamilton Street, Suite 3401, alleged that Wabote perjured (lied on oath) in his response to interrogatories.

“The court had on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 ordered Wabote, to provide “full and complete responses to defendant’s interrogatories”, as the court was not satisfied with earlier responses provided by Wabote and his counsel.

“But in his reaction to the responses by Wabote to the interrogatories, counsel for Defendant (Ude) wrote to the court demanding sanction for “Plaintiff (Wabote) and his Attorneys for committing fraud on the court, for perjury and for acting in subornation of perjury in this case”, the statement recalled.

The CNPP and the CSOs said they “found it shocking that if knowingly, and with clear intention, as Mr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote was accused, is working to derail the course of justice and to torpedo Defendant’s access to justice in a case in far away United States, he will do worse in Nigeria.

“To ensure that he does not continue to obstruct the course of justice both in Nigeria and the United States, we call for his immediate suspension or he should voluntarily step aside for proper investigation into corruption allegations against him and to stop further siphoning of the nation’s scarce resources for legal fees abroad.

“We therefore call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the National Assembly to immediately institute open probe of the core allegations against him as contained in a petition directed to the Code of Conduct Bureau.

“If he fails to resign within 21 days, we shall be left with no choice but to take legal actions against him, including mobilising the civil society community to occupy the National Assembly and relevant anti-corruption institutions until the the needful done”, the statement read.

Germany To Repatriate More Artifacts To Nigeria

By
Uche Mbah
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Oba of Benin Palace

By Uche Mbah

No fewer than 1,030 Benin artefacts are expected to be repatriated from Germany in 2022, Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Abba Tijani, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan on Tuesday.

When the artefacts are repatriated, Tijani said, they will be kept in  museums to attract more tourists across the world.

Tijani said this would also give tourists  opportunities to view the cultural objects from the Nigerian context.

According to him, “It will make the foreigners understand the significance of the artefacts better and give them an added advantage which they might not get when they visit museums in Europe.”

Tijani said the commission had called for the expansion of the National Museum in Abuja and that of Benin so that the objects could be displayed.

He said the commission had partnered with corporate organisations to fund museum activities, adding that it had renovated many museums across the country.

Tijani said, “The Federal Government is ready to take possession of many of these Benin bronzes being repatriated to the country.

“Nigerians should also support us by appreciating these heritages being cherished globally, we should respect them and visit museums to understand them better.

“Also, individuals, philanthropists, culture, science and technology sector and all relevant agencies should work together with us to invest in tourism.

“Tourism makes a great impact on our economy, many countries rely on tourism for their Gross Domestic Product growth because it is a thriving sector.

“There will also be an investment for our local communities because they will benefit when tourists start trooping in from all over the world.”

Tijani said the commission would continue to partner with the private sector, adding “we are not relying 100 per cent on government funding’’.

There Is No Miyetti Allah Vigilante In Imo – IMSG

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodinma

The Imo State Government on Monday dissociated itself from what it called a fabricated story that Miyette Allah vigilante has arrived the State to help Security Agencies fight crime.

The Commissioner for Information, Hon Declan Emelumba said at no time did the State Government give any approval to the vigilante to operate in imo as claimed by the story which is making the rounds on WhatsApp groups.

According to Emelumba, the aim of the story which he said was authored by desperate opposition is to cause ethnic tension in the State.

His words:

“This is to alert Imo people that there is no truth in the story being circulated by the opposition which has become more desperate.

“The Government is not aware of any Miyetti Allah vigilante.”

He said the name quoted by the fake story did not exist while the byline of the supposed author was also faked.

While urging Imo people to disregard the story, the Commissioner said the Government will not hesitate to intimate them of any security arrangements it is making but certainly not outside established Security Agencies .

He warned purveyors of the fake news to be mindful of the consequences of their ill- advised action and desist forthwith.

On Monday, not a few people were shocked when the story made the rounds that Miyetti Allah had established its own Vigilante  group in Imo to confront kidnappers  since  Ebube Agu, a Government backed Vigilante group, has failed.

Election Timetable: INEC Awaits Electoral Act

By
Uche Mbah
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0

By Uche Mbah

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, has disclosed that it will release the election timetable after President Muhammadu  Buhari has signed the disputed electoral Act.

Buhari refused assent, last December, because of the controversial direct primary provision in the Act. It has since been returned to the National Assembly for further amendments.

Speaking on the issue, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting for the year with political parties Tuesday, said he is encouraged by the Senate president’s assurance to tackle the issue upon resumption.

“On the Electoral Amendment Bill currently before the National Assembly, the Commission is encouraged by the Senate President’s assurance to give priority attention to the Bill when the National Assembly reconvenes from its recess today, and the commitment by the President to assent to the Bill as soon as the issue of mode of primaries by political parties is resolved. We look forward to a speedy passage of the Bill, which is crucial to our preparations for future elections.

“As soon as it is signed into law, the Commission will quickly release the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election based on the new law”.

Rice Revolution: Buhari Honours Ayade, Commends His Contributions To Rice Farming

By
The Source
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Ben Ayade and Muhammed Buhari

Cross River state’s investments in rice production Tuesday resonated in Abuja as President Muhammad Buhari bestowed on the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, an Excellent Award in recognition of his government’s effort in that regard.

In pursuit of the agro-industrialization policy of his administration, Ayade has established in Calabar, the state capital, a multi-million naira Africa’s first-ever automated rice seeds and seedling factory.

The factory was commissioned in June 2018 by President Buhari.

Also, an ultra-modern vitaminized rice mill in Ogoja, in the northern part of the state, is completed and awaiting commissioning by the president in March.

The Cross River state governor received the presidential honour at the unveiling of the Abuja Rice Pyramids by the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, RIFAN.

The event was put together to celebrate President Buhari’s annual rice festival and to flag off the 2022 dry season program.

Speaking while presenting him the Award, President Buhari commended Governor Ayade for his contributions to Nigeria’s rice revolution and rice value chain.

Responding, the governor thanked Buhari for the honour, saying his passion for agriculture has the imprimatur of the President.

“Mr, President I want to thank you for making me a farmer, Mr President I want to thank you for turning my wife, a medical Doctor,  into a full-time farmer. I thank you for creating a great future for this country through your policy trust in Agriculture. I thank you for being focused on agriculture, I want to thank you sincerely”, he said.

According to him, “Cross River State has, based on your policy thrust, taken advantage of your robust agricultural road map to provide an alternative to oil as the mainstay of our economy, to focus on the agro-Industrialization revolution which is the basis of any nation that is prepared to industrialize.

“On the strength of that, Cross River State set up the first and the only vitaminized rice mill in Africa.”

The governor used the occasion to remind  the President of his promise to personally visit the state to commission the rice mill in March.

He explained that his administration has made rice farming pleasurable by digitalizing the farming process.

His words: “As long as you continue to use manual energy to farm, your yield will be low, as long as you continue to grow rice using seeds, your harvest will be slavish.

“Today, Rice cultivation in Nigeria gives you an average of three to four tonnes per hectare while in advanced worlds like Thailand and China, you are looking at between 10 and 14 tonnes per hectare. That is technology, that is the digitalisation that my administration has brought in”

2023: My Life, Family Threatened Over Tinubu’s Ambition – Ojudu

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Presidential Aide, Babafemi Ojudu, has alleged that his life and that of family members have been under threat for not backing the Presidential ambition of former Lagos state Governor, Bola Tinubu.

In a statement titled “Principled Political Choices are not Betrayal,” Ojudu claimed that he had in the past worked with the APC leader and wrote good things about him.

“I and Bola Tinubu have come a long way, and we have been there for each other. So let no one use my acknowledgment of his good deeds and my refusal not to support him in his bid for Nigeria’s Presidency to portray me as a betrayer.

“Tinubu remains my leader and I will forever cherish him and the contributions he made to my Organisation during our fight against the military.

“He, however, knows I don’t follow the herd. I make my choices based on very rigid parameters . He will tell you I am very Independent in my actions and ways.

“Tinubu will tell you that whatever and whoever Ojudu is committed to, he is in for 100 percent commitment

“On this matter of 2023, I wish him well, but I cannot, in good conscience, give him my support or cast my vote for him in the coming primary. It is my right. I am above 60 years of age for God’s sake. I, almost, died seeking this inalienable democratic rights, held up in detention, and severally tortured. Your god is not my god.

“Let no one think he can brow-beat, or blackmail me to do what does not go with my conscience or my ideals. Enough of your phone threats and embarrassment of my family members.

“I know Tinubu. I respect and adore him. Many of his latter day supporters do not even know him.  If they do, they won’t resort to emotional and physical blackmail.

“When Tinubu decided to go against Afenifere and the Yoruba elders in 2003 by not supporting President Olusegun Obasanjo, he wasn’t betraying the Yoruba nation or a traitor to Afenifere.

“He made a choice and history has been his judge. Let history be my own judge too.

“When he supported Chief Olu Falae against Chief Bola Ige , our respected leader, who for him to emerge candidate of Alliance for Democracy in Lagos, no one shouted betrayal.

“For the irritants who have been sending threat messages or calling to abuse me for not supporting Tinubu, do know that is not democracy. It is something else.

“I spent my youth years fighting autocracy and intolerance of the military, and I am still willing and ready, even now, to stand up for what I believe, even if it will cost me my death.”

Breaking: IPOB’s Kanu Appoints Ozekhome As Lead Counsel

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
By James Orji
Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria, SAN is now to lead the legal team of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB Nnamdi Kanu. He took over from Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who the magazine leant will still remain a member of the legal team to defend the IPOB leader in his treason case against the Federal Government.

The development  comes on the heels of the federal government  decision to file fresh charges against  the  ontroversial IPOB leader who was arrested in Kenya  last year and has since been put on trial by the Buhari administration.

On Monday,  the federal government  amended the seven count charge it prefered against the IPOB leader to 15 in his ongoing trial at the Federal High Court,  Abuja. 

Ejiofor had last December, said efforts were being made to fortify Kanu’ s legal team during a visit to Kanu in custody of the Department  of State Services,  DSS. He said the decision was taken in order to give the IPOB leader good legal representation.

But the magazine learnt that Kanu had personally demanded that his team be fortified to include senior lawyers in order to get maximum result, particularly following the perceived flip flop so far witnessed  in the efforts to secure his bail from DSS custody.

Ejiofor had said, “I want to assure you, Umuchineke, that our legal team, is, presently, more fortified than ever to do battle in Court, and God being on our side, victory is assured. We paid our routine visit to our untiring, unwavering, unrelenting, rock-solid and noble client, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, at the DSS detention facility at Abuja.

“The visit, this time, was spectacular and was greeted by an infectious air of camaraderie. Onyendu was particularly enthused by the visit and preferred to describe it as ‘A surprise Christmas Present’. You may not understand the peculiarity of this visit and the how significant it is.

“But in due course, I am certain you will be in the best position to fully appreciate the wisdom that informed it. Suffice it to say that as the lead attorney of Onyendu, I took advantage of the visit to unveil a legal giant, a distinguished and an accomplished member of the Inner Bar, whom I have chosen to fortify our defence team. The learned Senior counsel is an excellent and a consummate learned gentleman, distinguished in academics and in the practice of law in our law courts.

“The reason that informed this arrangement is my unflinching desire to throw in every weapon in our arsenal to ensure that Onyendu gets the best at all times. This latest master stroke, evident in the legal giant that has intervened, came to Onyendu as a big surprise. Although he was not oblivious of my arrangement to enlist the assistance and co-operation of a Senior Attorney, he did not know that I could get a Senior Attorney of the rarest breed”.

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